Look who’s taken time away from Santa’s Workshop to visit the blog! The Elf is the next of the Candy Cane Ornament Collection to be released on the blog.
Make lots of Santa’s Little Helpers with this adorable Crochet Elf Candy Cane Holder Ornament! This free pattern includes step-by-step instructions to create a cute little elf that’s perfect for your Christmas tree, classroom gift, or as an unique gift topper.
It’s Easy to Grab the Whole Candy Cane Holder Collection !
There are (16) sixteen patterns in the Candy Cane Holder Ornament collection! And you can grab all of this cuteness straight away, in the Crochet Candy Canes Bundle e-book!
The Candy Cane Ornament Bundle includes the FULL 16 pattern collection, with process photos, tutorial links and a clickable table of contents!
This crochet pattern collection includes instructions to create the Santa, Snowman, Reindeer, Kitty, Dinosaur, Unicorn, Bear, Puppy, Mrs. Claus, Elf, Mouse, Moose, Gingerbread Boy, Gingerbread Girl, Penguin, and Giraffe!
Allll this cuteness is available NOW! Check out the 16 Pattern Candy Cane Collection Bundle on Ravelry or Etsy!
As a crochet designer with a passion for creating festive amigurumi patterns and a mum who treasures Christmas traditions, I enjoy making these low sew elf candy cane holders to bring a little extra fun each year! My kids love sharing these candy cane elves with their classmates, turning gift-giving into a memorable experience.
These little ornaments are lightning-fast to crochet, making them perfect to have on hand for unexpected gifting moments—like when the postman surprises you with a Christmas card. Looking for ideas for teacher gifts or craft fair items? These crochet candy cane ornaments are great for both gifting and selling.
Use them as unique present toppers, and make them cost-effective by using scrap yarn. Plus, these reusable ornaments can be enjoyed year after year by simply replacing the candy canes!
I designed all my crochet candy cane patterns with WeCrochet’s Brava Worsted Yarn for its soft texture and vibrant colours, but any medium (4) weight yarn will work beautifully. For safety, you can choose between 6 mm flat back black pearls, safety eyes, or embroidered eyes—just remember to avoid small parts for children under three.
Check out the Elf Candy Cane Ornament crochet pattern below or grab the inexpensive ad-free PDF with additional helpful photos on Ravelry or Etsy
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Interested in more cute crochet patterns? Check these out!
What you will need for your Elf Candy Cane Ornament Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Hook size 3.75 mm (F) Clover Amour
Yarn: Medium Weight (4) – Shown using Knit Picks Brava Worsted
| Main Colours | |
| Grass (Green), Cream (Cream) | 30, 15 yards |
| Accent Colours | |
| Red (Red), Mocha (Brown), Black (Black), Canary (Yellow) | Small Amount |
| Curly Cue Arms/Legs (Colour(s) of Choice) (Optional) | 15 yards |
- 6mm safety eyes OR 6mm flat back black pearls (optional)
- Polyester filling
- 2 Mini Candy Canes (approx. 3” long) for the arms/legs
- Twine (optional)
- 4 x 10mm Bells (optional for Curly Cue arms/legs)
- Stitch Markers & Safety Pins to help with sewing placement
- Yarn Needle to weave in the ends
Gauge:
4 rounds of sc = 1.5 inches diameter
Gauge Pattern:
Create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: 2sc in each st (12)
Round 3: *sc, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 4: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 6 times (24)
Abbreviations:
| BLO | Back Loop Only |
| ch | chain |
| dc | double crochet |
| FLO | Front Loop Only |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| Picot | Picot Stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| scdec | single crochet decrease |
| Spike St | spike stitch |
| ss | slip stitch |
| st(s) | stich(es) |
| *to* | repeat the sequence between the ** the number of times indicated |
Special Stitches & Techniques:
Magic ring – https://youtu.be/ayek4XfmDvM
Picot – ch 3, ss to the 3rd ch from hook
Sleepy Eye – https://youtu.be/4kO0XAkXMGo (if not using safety eyes/flat back pearls)
Spike Stitch – https://youtu.be/zd9WoWzD65c
How to Close the Head and Begin the Body –https://youtu.be/h42lU_7gam4
Notes:
- #sc (eg. 2sc, 3sc, etc) shows the number of scs to be completed in the indicated st
- sts listed within brackets are to be worked in the same st. Eg. (Sc, hdc)
- I highly recommend using a stitch marker to help keep track of the rounds
- All rounds will be continuous (unless otherwise stated).
- When changing colours, end off previous colour unless noted otherwise.
Check out the Candy Cane Ornament Collection in a 16 Pattern Bundle on Ravelry or Etsy!
Start your Elf Candy Cane Ornament Crochet Pattern
Elf Candy Cane Head/Body:
The head/body is created in continuous rounds beginning with the head
Using Cream, create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: *2sc* 6 times (12)
Round 3: *sc, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 4: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 6 times (24)
Rounds 5-10: sc in each st (24)
Round 11: *sc in the next 2 sts, scdec* 6 times (18)
Round 12: *sc in the next st, scdec* 6 times (12), change to Green
See Video for assistance with the next 2 Rounds: https://youtu.be/h42lU_7gam4
Round 13: FLO for the entire round, sc in each st (12), do not end off…
- Place a stitch marker in the loop on your hook to keep it from pulling out.
- Place on a flat surface with the top of the head facing away from you and the last stitch sitting at the far right (far left if left handed) and ‘flatten’ the head down.
- If using – add safety eyes to Round 7 approx 4 sts apart
- Lightly stuff the head. Flatten head down.
- Using a scrap piece of yarn and starting with the first and last st of Round 13, mattress stitch in the back loops of Round 12, across the opening.
- Continue working Round 14 from where you left off after Round 13.
Round 14: creating the arm holes *ch5, sc in the next 6 sts* twice (12 + 10chs)
Round 15: *sc in the next 5 chs, sc in the next 6 sts* twice (22)
Round 16: *sc in the next 9 sts, scdec* twice (20)
Rounds 17-18: sc in each st (20)
Round 19: *sc in the next 8 sts, scdec* twice (18), change to Black
Rounds 20-21: sc in each st (18), after Round 21, change to Green
Rounds 22-23: sc in each st (18)
End off, by slip stitching to the next st, weave in end.
Elf Candy Cane Hat:
The hat is worked in continuous rounds from the top down.
Using Green, create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the Ring (6)
Round 2: sc in each st (6)
Round 3: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* twice (8)
Round 4: *sc in the next 3 sts, 2sc* twice (10)
Round 5: *sc in the next 4 sts, 2sc* twice (12)
Round 6: *sc in the next 5 sts, 2sc* twice (14)
Round 7: *sc in the next 6 sts, 2sc* twice (16)
Round 8: *sc in the next 7 sts, 2sc* twice (18)
Round 9: *sc in the next 5 sts, 2sc* 3 times (21)
Round 10: *sc in the next 6 sts, 2sc* 3 times (24)
Round 11: *sc in the next 7 sts, 2sc* 3 times (27)
Round 12: sc in the next 26 sts, 2sc (28), change to Red
Round 13: *sc, spike st 1 round down, spike st 2 rounds down, spike st 1 round down* 7 times, change to Brown
Round 14: BLO *sc, hdc, dc, hdc* 7 times (28)
End off, leaving a 18” tail for sewing.
Elf Candy Cane Ears (make 2):
Made in a joined oval round.
Using Cream, ch 3
Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, (sc, picot, sc) in the last ch, turn (rotate) and begin working in the back of the ch, sc, join to first sc (4sc + picot)
End off, leaving a 9” tail for sewing.
Elf Candy Cane Curly Cue Arms/Legs (make 2, if not using candy canes):
Created in 1 row
Using Colour of Choice, ch 36
Row 1: 3sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, 3sc in each of the next 34chs (105)
End off, Sew on bells if desired, Weave in ends
Sewing Placement – I highly recommend pinning ALL parts in place BEFORE sewing to make sure everything sits properly and is to your liking 🙂
| Eyes (if not using safety eyes): Hot glue on the flat backed pearl or embroider eye/sleepy eye at approx. Round 7 about 3 sts apart. See video for assistance: https://youtu.be/4kO0XAkXMGo |
| Nose: Embroider centred slightly below the eyes. Add blush to either side of the nose if desired |
| Mouth: If desired embroider on a mouth. |
| Hat: Place the hat on head as desired, covering the back of the head. Sew or glue in place. |
| Ears: Place on either side of the head just under the hat, approximately even with the eyes. Sew in place. |
| Buckle: Using Yellow, embroider a buckle on the black section centred on the front of the body. |
| Ornament Hanger Cut a piece of twine approx 6” long. Sew through the top of the head. Tie a knot. |
| Arms/Legs: Add your mini candy canes or curly cues into the holes made in Round 14 of the Head/Body. |
Congratulations!
You have now completed your Elf Candy Cane Ornament Crochet Pattern.
H2 What Colour Yarn to Create Cute Elf Candy Cane Holders?
Dressing your elf amigurumi in different coloured yarns can bring an unique personality to each creation. Traditionally, green and red are the go-to Christmas colours, representing evergreen trees and the holly berry, but there’s plenty of room for creativity! Bright red might evoke Santa’s coat, while deep green feels woodsy and warm—perfect for a classic holiday elf.
For a frosty touch, try white or icy blue to represent snow or wintry magic. Gold and silver add a luxurious sparkle, often symbolising holiday lights or the star atop the tree. If you’re looking to get playful, mix in pinks, purples, or even rainbow stripes to give your elf a more cheerful and modern look.
Different colours can also reflect personal traditions or favourite holiday memories. Or just match your little elf ornament with your Christmas decoration colour theme. Let your imagination guide you, and create an elf wardrobe that’s as festive as the season itself!
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Thank you so much for joining us! I hope you loved completing your Elf Candy Cane Crochet Pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it for you. Don’t want to miss a stitch? Subscribe to the Darling Maple Designs newsletter and I’ll send updates for new pattern releases, sales and promotions straight to your inbox. See you again soon! Sara <3
If you have any questions or concerns with this, or any other pattern written by Darling Maple Designs, please do not hesitate to contact me at: info@darlingmapledesigns.com.
Don’t forget to Pin it to your project board.
Check out my other crochet candy cane ornament patterns!
- Santa
- Snowman
- Reindeer
- Kitty
- Dinosaur
- Unicorn
- Bear
- Puppy
- Mrs Claus
- Elf
- Mouse
- Moose
- Gingerbread Boy
- Gingerbread Girl
- Penguin
- Giraffe
